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Rumours are circulating in various Facebook groups indicating that Coburg and the Northern Bullants will NOT be part of the VFL next year. Had anyone heard more on this or is it purely speculation? If it is true. I think it is officially the end of the VFA / VFL and it may as well be called something completely different and the names of the awards and medals retired.
I've long resisted it, but I feel if the AFL really is intent on diminishing the history of Victorian football, the it is time for a new competition to be formed. be formed.
Not heard those rumours but both, particularly Preston, are becoming seriously uncompetitive - if Tasmania come into the comp then the number of teams will become just unwieldy and if two divisions aren't created then it's just going to become unmanageable - there are also rumours of Adelaide Crows joining the comp and maybe Port Power as the SANFL clubs don't want them
Yesterday Sandy beat Preston by 99pts. The Ants could not match the talls from St Kilda.
Smallest and quietest attendance at TBBO I have seen, Next to no spectators at the Sauntner goal; the beer booth was closed.
Hard to see the Bullants going around again. It sounds harsh but I think it was a mistake bringing them back in. They were always going to be fighting a huge uphill battle and it has made life harder for Coburg, who had found it hard enough to be competitive prior to that.
Can't to see how Preston and Coburg will be allowed to continue. Financial issues on top of poor onfield performances are sounding the death knell. Preston were competitive up til round 11 with two wins and some good showings but the wheels have well and truly fallen off now. Hope Frankston are not next..
Well, clearly Frankston will be next in the crosshairs......if this rumour is true, we should all be concerned. If Port, Werribee and Willy think they will be safe they're kidding themselves. No way will the AFL want three VFA clubs tacked onto the end of its' reserves competition. This is so concerning for the future of Victorian football. An AFL reserves comp with 10 Victorian teams is not a Victorian state league. I'm so saddened that the AFL don't see the importance of this to protect the heartland of the sport. Is there any possibility of a breakaway league? Could the remaining clubs find a way to fund it sufficiently? I think it's the only way for our clubs to maintain the competition.....am sure none of us want to watch our clubs running around in local leagues.
aj wrote ... "Is there any possibility of a breakaway league?"
On the Local Footy (Ch 44) last Friday. There was a story about the Picola League breaking away from AFLV.
aj wrote ... "Is there any possibility of a breakaway league?"
On the Local Footy (Ch 44) last Friday. There was a story about the Picola League breaking away from AFLV.
A new league would require AFL funding and I cant see that happening. They have made it clear they wont help struggling clubs financially and funding a new league to keep a few struggling clubs going would be too much to hope for.
I fear it will be back to suburban footy or bust, like all the other VFA clubs of the past...
Their view is if stand alone clubs can survive off their own bat they're happy to have them in the comp, but they're not going to put money into them. That's where the challenge is for Preston and Coburg. My understanding is Frankston's not yet close to that point, but a few more down years on the field might make it challenging.
Frankston made only $1000 trading profit last year which puts them behind the eight ball. There is no money to sign new players and importantly experienced assistant coaches, so they have to go the kids route again which means similar onfield results to the last few years, but if Preston and Coburg get the chop, Frankston will probably be looking at the wooden spoon which wont help their cause.
I see they signed 6 youngsters to 2 year deals recently, but a lot will depend on retention of current players, although the financial situation will make that difficult. They shouldnt lose too many to the draft though - I expect Owens will get picked up at some stage.
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